Media Interaction Highlights PMFME Scheme Achievements in Micro Food Processing and Women Entrepreneurship

📌 Summary:

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries held a media interaction on the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme
• PMFME was launched in 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support the unorganised micro food processing sector, which has nearly 25 lakh unregistered enterprises
• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme has an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore and has been extended till September 2026
• It operationalises the One District One Product (ODOP) approach; 137 unique products have been identified across 726 districts in 35 States and UTs
• Key components include a 35% credit-linked subsidy (up to Rs. 10 lakh for individuals; up to Rs. 3 crore for FPO/SHG common infrastructure), Rs. 40,000 seed capital per SHG member, capacity building, incubation centres and branding/marketing support
• 1,96,270 individual micro food processing enterprises have been supported (over 40% women entrepreneurs); seed capital was approved for over 4 lakh SHG members and 80 incubation centres approved

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy — food processing, value addition, micro-enterprises, women entrepreneurship and reduction of farm wastage.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• PMFME was launched in 2020 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore, extended till September 2026
• The scheme operationalises the One District One Product (ODOP) approach
• Over 40% of supported beneficiaries are women entrepreneurs

🔑 Key Term: PMFME Scheme — a Centrally Sponsored Scheme providing credit-linked subsidy, training and market support to formalise and upgrade micro food processing enterprises.